Objective: To summarize endoscopic management of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea and position-determining means.
Method: Fifteen cases of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea treated by endoscopic approach at our institution were analyzed retrospectively. Aetiology included accidental trauma (10), surgical trauma (4), idiopathic (1). All patients presented with CSF rhinorrhea. Six cases were operated after failure of conservative treatment. Two cases after failure of neurosurgical repair were referred to our department. The largest defect was as big as 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm. All patients were scanned by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed by biochemistry test. Ten patients received high resolution spiral computed tomography bonding ventriculography.
Result: We performed intranasal endoscopic repair in all 15 patients. All repairs were successful at the first attempt with a mean follow up of 20 months. One patient had light headache postoperatively and relieved with conservative treatment. All defects of skull base detected by computed tomography and ventriculography were confirmed in the operation.
Conclusion: Intranasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea can be an effective method. High resolution spiral computed tomography scan combined with ventriculography is a precise position-determining means. With the advancement of instrument and operative skill, the scope of endoscopic repair will further extend.